Recently while having lunch with six or seven friends, the topic suddenly shifted to what we liked or did not like about our respective churches. This discussion was very enlightening and when we were finished, I was sad that it was over. I felt that I had received a brief glimpse of how the church was meant to work.
Although we were a very diverse group, we also had much in common. All believed that churches should perform outreach, but no two were using the same methods. You see, there are many things to be considered when designing a local church. With churches there is no such thing as “one size fits all.” Each is by nature, different from any other since they often evolve from the personalities of its staff and members.
Jesus invited the disciples to follow Him, saying that He would make them “fishers of men.” He was speaking to those that were accustomed to casting a large net while hoping to catch many fish. From that time, Jesus began teaching them to fish for lost souls by using the most enticing bait of all, the truth of God’s Word. They would also learn that this bait would never appeal to everyone. Many would scoff at it while rejecting it in favor of lies.
Today, we stand on the other side of the cross, but the bait is still the same. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Truth endures, but lies are eternally unstable. Of this, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
And though we are of different opinions and methods, if we have been born from above, we are members of His body. We serve the same Savior, study and believe in the same Word of truth, and share the same hope of His soon appearing. And while we wait, we should be busy proclaiming our great hope, standing on the truth of His precious Word.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.” Ephesians 6:14